New 76ers owner Harris enjoying the ride

January 29, 2012|By Michael Vitez, Inquirer Staff Writer
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  • In it for the long run: Josh Harris finished the Philadelphia Marathon in November. "We have a deep-pocketed ownership group, and we want to win," the former Penn wrestler said.
  • In it for the long run: Josh Harris finished the Philadelphia Marathon in November. "We have a deep-pocketed ownership group, and we want to win," the former Penn wrestler said. (MICHAEL VITEZ / Staff)
  • "I like to be on the floor," Harris said. "I like seeing the games down there, and it's good to be down there with the fans." (RON CORTES / Staff Photographer)
  • Meet the new boss: From his courtside seat, Sixers owner Josh Harris, a Penn grad, is making himself part of the show. (RON CORTES / Staff Photographer)

Josh Harris, the new owner of the 76ers, is happy sitting center court at almost every home game. He has the best seat in the house, and why shouldn't he?

He is a billionaire and, as he sees it, he made his fortune buying companies at just the right time - down-and-out outfits, in need of a fresh approach - just like he has done with the Sixers.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than smart. In the Sixers' case, nearly all the key ingredients to success were already in place - great coach, nucleus of solid young players. The lockout scared other potential buyers away. Harris got in, infused the franchise with energy, re-signed two key players, and, so far, the team is winning.

"It's exceeded all expectations in terms of the fun I'm having," Harris said. "I've become an überfan. I haven't missed a minute of any game. I haven't gone to all the away games, but I've been to nearly all the home games, and I have a league pass, and I have whatever you need to see every game."

He's a billionaire, but sometimes he's just a boy, too.

"Being able to go into the huddle before games - they let me in there - that's a lot of fun," he added. "We've all been high school or college athletes, but very few people get to see what it's like in a pro locker room, seeing the professional coach talk to his players.

"Being on the inside is a lot of fun."

Let's get to the dish right away. Harris says he's falling back in love with Philadelphia, his college town, and promises to be the kind of owner fans will want him to be: committed to winning a championship.

"Will we spend what it takes?" he said. "Yes. We're going to be very opportunistic. We're not going to be silly about it. We have a deep-pocketed ownership group, and we want to win. It's not as easy as you think. The elite players in the league can play wherever they want, and everyone wants them."

He said the challenge is to build a "high-quality organization on and off the court," to create a team and environment that will attract elite players, similar to the way pitcher Cliff Lee chose to come to Philadelphia and play with the Phillies.

Wrestler's outlook

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